State civil rights office urges Ann Arbor school district to conduct more cultural training in wake of assault
The Michigan Department of Civil Rights issued a statement this afternoon calling on the Ann Arbor school district to step up its conflict resolution and cultural competency programs following an assault Tuesday in which a Muslim student was allegedly called racial and ethnic slurs.
The statement from Kelvin Scott, the director of the department, says: “The Department of Civil Rights is concerned about information it has received indicating tensions in the community between youth of various ethnic groups were high even before this incident occurred. Unfortunately, that tension may have escalated as the week has progressed.
“We urge Ann Arbor schools not to treat this as an isolated incident to be resolved by discipline alone, but rather, to acknowledge the broader issues involved. The inclusion of conflict resolution and cultural competency programming is needed immediately and for all students. To have such an occurrence take place as the new school year begins is truly disheartening.”
A department spokeswoman said the office isn't conducting a full investigation of the incident because it hasn't been formally asked to.
Ann Arbor Superintendent Todd Roberts said the district "certainly took appropriate discipline and are working to provide conflict resolution to the students involved."
He also said the district has a in-depth cultural competency program already in place.
The assault took place Tuesday. According to district spokeswoman Liz Margolis, an argument started between two female students on a bus heading from Skyline High School. The bus driver thought the argument was settled down when the two students were let out at the bus stop near North Maple Estates.
According to Margolis, a fight ensued and a group of between five to seven students got involved.
The female Muslim student suffered cuts on her head that required six stitches, said Dawud Walid, the executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.
According to Walid, the attackers, whom he said were black, “reportedly shouted “F*** Arabs, they are dirty,” pulled off the girl’s Islamic headscarf (hijab), dragged her to a nearby home, and inflicted injuries that required six stitches on her face. The victim’s brother was also attacked while trying to come to her defense.”
Skyline High School Principal Sulura Jackson said in an e-mail to parents that the students involved were disciplined.
“It is our goal to make sure that such isolated incidence of conflict among our students does not occur. We will continue to stress the importance of building relationships and respect for self and others, personal integrity and the value of diversity in our school community,” Jackson wrote to parents.
The district did not release any other details on the punishment or the students involved.
Ann Arbor police have said they are investigating the incident, but would not provide any other details.
The MDCR said the district should use this situation to teach students.
“All our children have the right to attend schools that are safe and free of harassment. Students need to be provided the tools to work together and refute the many misconceptions about people or other races and faiths. Children in particular should never have to fear what may happen to them while they attend school, participate in school-sponsored events or while they are traveling to and from school.”
Walid said he's pleased with statement from the MDCR.
"We have been in close contact with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights on the issue and are committed to working with them in enhancing the appreciation of diversity, in particular understanding of Muslims and Islam, at Skyline High,” he said.
Walid said he had a conversation with Roberts Thursday.
“We had a candid conversation, which I will not discuss the particulars," he said. "I will say, however, that we discussed the differing accounts given as well as the bus driver not seeing the major part of the conflict but the initial conflict.
“The brunt of the violence took place after the bus driver pulled away. I still fail to understand that if the bus driver thought that the incident was violent enough to call the police, then why did the driver fail to stay to monitor the situation instead of driving off.”
David Jesse covers K-12 education for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at davidjesse@annarbor.com or at 734-623-2534.
Comments
foreigner
Wed, Sep 23, 2009 : 9:51 a.m.
I agree with those of you who said the parents as well as the bus driver needs to be held accountable. The schools can do all they want, but ultimately, its the environment created at home and the company you keep that will influence your behavior the most at this age. Parents need to step it up.
Sherry
Mon, Sep 14, 2009 : 4:59 p.m.
I agree with DebbieDora2" first statement and I am sorry that your child also had to go through what my Godson did as well. We need to face the facts and accept that what the schools teach are not tolerance for anyone! Period. As I stated before this is a far cry from an isolated incident. I also think think the school bus drivers should be held accountable for letting this go on day after day after day. It took am Iraqi girl to get hurt to bring to the surface as to what is really going on with our schools and the drivers. That driver in no way made it safe for this child to get to her home safely. How does the school board, teachers and drivers lay their heads down on their pillows at night and really believe that they all did their best to deal with an everyday thing that happens with the children. Oh, all will get a slap on the wrist as usual and they will pray that time will take care of the mess for all of them. How sad and deplorable.
Cynthia
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 9:42 a.m.
Criminal assault charges need to be filed and the parents need to have a civil suit filed against them for damages. Those involved in the assault should be sent to an alternative high school. The absolute newest facility with many of the best teachers in the district and these hooligans get access while others with excellent behavior must enter a lottery to attend.
DebbieDora2
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 5:09 a.m.
The situation went into full throttle once the students stepped off the bus.
DebbieDora2
Sun, Sep 13, 2009 : 5:07 a.m.
It starts in the children's home. If not taught in the home.It is taught in our public schools that do not recognize any religious Holiday except Christmas.The parents of these children should also be accountable.There children choose violence over no color. It is taught. walking away. There were 15- 20 people circled around punching egging it on. They should be held accountable also. Did they run or call for help NO
fd2009
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 9:41 p.m.
As mother of two daughters in the AAPS, I am horrified by this violent incident. No violence of such horrific nature should be tolerated. I hope that either AAPS and/or the AA Police will provide an accurate account of what really happened and the perpetuators should be held accountable for their actions.
moe.mbaker
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 3:47 p.m.
f there were 5 students beating on one girl to the point where they drag her, rip off her religous head scarf, and beat her (to the point she needs stitches), then I think these sick people need to have the worst of the worst done to them. If this had been a white student being called racial slurs would this have been treated differently? If this had been a Jewish student being called racial slurs and beaten in the exact same sitstupb would it have been treated differently and gain more media exposure? I would have to assume so. Its obvious in America that in most but not all situations, Muslims get the short end of the stick or somehow appear to be in the wrong regardless of the facts. This is part of the reason why our president is in an attempt to rid some of those stereo types. I hope that these students are punished, I don't think that justice will be served even if they are sentenced to a couple years in prison. Just my opinion, which I am entitled to. If you don't agree then you too are entitled to your own opinion. I do encourage anyone and everyone who wants to voice their opinion though to find the facts first and not stereo type because of the race/religion of the student but instead to put themselves or their loved ones in the victims position (god forbid that should have to happen to any of you or your loved ones).
Sherry
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 2:08 p.m.
I have a Godson who is part Native American and he got beat up and called names starting at an early age and the bus drivers never did anything to stop it. More than one time I got him off the bus all bloody and the driver never told me what happened, Maybe we need to get rid of the bus drivers that have students bring them food when they get on the bus to school. If they are not filling their faces or talking on cell phones maybe they would stop the bus and put off the ones who are causing the problems. Get over it, all ages and races are victims on the school buses in Ann Arbor. Where are the parents who should be teaching tolerance of others? It is just not the schools that should be dealing with this. Put the volunteers on the buses again to help out and to keep an eye on the school bus drivers who do nothing. As a community we all turn a blind eye to the truth until it happens to your kid. Your right TT, only in Ann Arbor! We don't hear of this happening as much as we do in Ann Arbor buses. We do not just have isolated incidents that are rare, ours is everyday.
djm12652
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 9:56 a.m.
If students have not been taught to be respectful of others by the time they reach elementary school...conflict resolution by the educational system is moot...where are the parents of the perpetrators of this crime? They should be held accountable for their children's actions...they are the ones that taught them to think this way. Being disciplined by the school is one thing, the assault that took place on private property is just that...an assault and by all means an criminal act. But, hey... in A2..."children that commit crimes" just need to be talked to by the oh so smart powers that be in our educational system...yeah...right...see what their words have accomplished so far! Throw their sorry butts in jail [bet it wouldn't be the first time] to keep all the other 'decent' kids safe. then, fire the bus driver for neglecting to make sure the victims were safe.
Alan Benard
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 9:30 a.m.
It is too easy for the bus driver to say he/she believed the altercation had "settled down" when the students left the bus. Is there no procedure for drivers to follow when threats of violence or altercations between students occur? If it is given that the driver called the police, he/she should have stayed. If the state compels families to send their children to school, then all agents of the schools must be properly prepared to monitor the students' safety.
aaparent
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 7:33 a.m.
I think we expect too much from the schools. Having 1 child completely through AA schools and another in middle school, I know the schools already have/practice conflict resolution. This can only do so much. Ultimately kids learn from the society around them and from their family. To place all the blame for such incidents on the schools is ridiculous. Schools will never replace parents/relatives. Peer pressure will always be a factor as well. Schools will always struggle with such things, especially considering the financial burdens we put on them as well. Want schools to do a better job? Give them more money and staff. Until then we have no right to point fingers at them. One person's opinion...
DebbieDora2
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 6:25 a.m.
Mr.Jesse pry and get the facts that are being covered up. There was a lot more then this going on.
DebbieDora2
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 6:21 a.m.
Once again there were 2 buses one bus drove off like a bat out of hell. The second bus was 123 stayed but never got off to assist.FACT!
DebbieDora2
Sat, Sep 12, 2009 : 6:18 a.m.
First of Mr.Jesse for bringing this story out.Shame on Ann Arbor Schools for letting it go on for so long. Be thankful you were caught this time.Also as I was out with my 6 year old son and dog. There was a young white male with brown hair. He was thrown onto N. Maple whom was trying to assist.N.Maple is under construction 2 lanes. Where is this young man that was attacked. There could of been a pile up,He could of been run over. The story they are telling you is incorrect.How about out of 15-20 kids those kids that egged it on. You don't have your own personalities?One more important issue is why are they not dropped off at the next stop that is their homes?I do not teach racism in my home and you the Ann Arbor Public schools should not.You allowed my 6 year old to be beaten 13 times 6 years old. You allowed it to continue and did nothing including Mr. Todd Roberts.Will he emotionally heal not now you trust your children lives wit these Principals, teachers, parent volunteers, lunchroom staff. No. Now I am a member of the ACLU and the next thanks go to you. YOu all should of acted much faster.
Eric P
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 6:43 p.m.
conflict resolution is for arguments, disagreements, and differences of opinion -- police, courts, and jails are for when someone touches someone else.
TT
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 5:53 p.m.
If this aint the stupidest damn thing I have heard of recently, I dont know what is. We have a state comittee without a real purpose in life trying to justify its existence by advising the AA school district (that had no involvement in the actual assault) to hold sensitivity training for its students who were not involved in the incident. Let me help... Have the police detain and transport the perps, who undoubtedly have been well trained in conflict resolution from past brushes with the authorities, and just decided to kick some butt anyway. If appropriate file criminal charges and prosecute. End of story. Only in AA eh.
Sarcastic1
Fri, Sep 11, 2009 : 5:16 p.m.
Yes, Iraqi students must learn to accept African American students. I am glad to see Walid understands the issue.